• Travel Features
  • Global Action
  • Take A Trip
  • Travel Guides
    • Podcast
    • Courses
    • Bookshop
  • About
  • Sign Up
Menu

CATALYST PLANET

  • Travel Features
  • Global Action
  • Take A Trip
  • Travel Guides
  • Discover
    • Podcast
    • Courses
    • Bookshop
  • About
  • Sign Up

Discover South Korea

February 13, 2026

Travel to South Korea, a captivating country filled with fascinating culture and history, modern technology and lifestyles, and exciting attractions and sites. Head to Seoul, South Korea’s capital, where ancient architecture and monuments meet the future with Starfield COEX’s large shopping mall and technological progress across the city. Travelers will try new cultural cuisine like Korean fried chicken, ox bone soup, flavorful kimchi. Travelers will learn about the war between North and South Korea, when visiting the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Become surrounded by history as travelers stand on The Bridge of Freedom, a monument that stands as a reminder of conflict and the past exchange of prisoners. Through pivotal historic events, travelers will learn how the cultures surrounding South Korea grow in strength and acceptance towards past tragedies. The next few days, travelers will take guided tours through several different locations. Walk through Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbukgung Palace, where their origins date back several centuries ago. In these stunning places, travelers will wear traditional Korean dresses to add authenticity to this unique experience. Visit the traditional Korean houses called honak, known for primarily being made of wood. Then, walk through the Jeonju Hanok village and the Seohakdong Artists Village, grown through tradition, history, art, and creativity. Here, travelers will be able to find cute shops, crafty souvenirs, and delicious and local food. In Busan, travelers will also have the opportunity to take a Taekwondo class with a local master who will teach the original Korean fighting styles. While still in Busan, walk through the city’s beautiful and energetic nightlife. 

This is a 9 day trip that costs $2,295 led by Under30 Experiences, which caters to solo travelers and adventurous young adults ages 21-35, but they don’t enforce a strict age limit. They are a small team that loves sustainable travel by supporting local communities in an eco-friendly way. The company was founded 10+ years ago by co-founders Matt Wilson and Jared O’Toole. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s 8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.

Tags Country: South Africa, Continent: Asia, Cost: $1000 - $2500, Duration: 0 - 2 weeks, Focus: All Travel, Focus: Art + Culture

Tambopata National Reserve. Serena Tang.CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Explore the Amazon in Two Days

November 26, 2024

Start this trip with an hour-long boat ride to the Refugio Amazonas eco-hostel for the night, located in a chestnut forest near the Tambopata National Reserve. The next day, travelers will explore the Tambopata River, which is full of parrots and macaws. Then travelers will get to walk around Lake Condenado to see more wildlife.

Read More
Tags Country: South Africa, Country: Peru, Duration: 0 - 2 weeks, Cost: $1000 - $2500, Focus: All Travel

Volunteering in Cape Town. Courtesy of IVHQ.

Volunteer to Help Animal Shelters in South Africa

February 9, 2024

In Cape Town, volunteers will work at a local animal shelter in the Grassy Park community. Volunteers will help run the shelter, care for abandoned animals, and help with the animals’ medications and injections. Additionally, volunteers will assist with animal cleaning and feeding to gain animal care experience.

Read More
Tags Continent: Africa, Country: South Africa, Duration: 1 - 6 months, Focus: All Volunteer, Focus: Wildlife, Cost: $1 - $500, Duration: 0 - 2 weeks, Duration: 2 - 4 weeks
Herd of Elephants in Grass

Elephants on safari in Southern Africa. Armin Rodler. CC BY-NC 2.0.

Safari and Wildlife in Southern Africa

October 17, 2023
For the 18–35 crowd

This trip explores three countries in Southern Africa: South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. South Africa is called the “Rainbow Nation” due to its diversity of cultures, races, languages and religions, It is home to ten UNESCO World Heritage sites, more than any other country on the African continent. It’s worth noting that South Africa houses 10% of the world’s plants, 15% of coastal marine species, and 7% of the world’s mammal, reptile and bird species. Botswana is home to the planet's largest population of elephants. The nation is home to the Okavango Delta, the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around a third of Botswana’s landmass is protected as national parks, game reserves or wildlife management areas. Finally, there’s Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is home to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. On this trip, travelers start their journey in Johannesburg, where they can get acquainted and see the Emperor's Palace. Going into Botswana, everyone will have a chance to see the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, where they will set up camp. After stopping in Maun, everyone can visit the Okavango Delta. Travelers can engage in birdwatching on a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe). In Gweta, everyone can camp under the country’s iconic Baobab trees. Onward to Kasane, the group can choose to embark on a river cruise through Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa. After arriving in Zimbabwe, the first destination is Victoria Falls. Everyone can take a helicopter ride over the iconic landmark while optionally bungee jumping. In Matobo National Park, people can see the iconic granite masses before returning to South Africa. At Kruger National Park, everyone can scan the savanna for lions, elephants and other animals. 

This is a 15-day trip that costs $2,137 and is a G Adventures’ 18-Thirtysomethings trip geared toward young, budget minded travelers. G Adventures is a sustainable, small-group tour company that has been leading travelers for 35+ years. They have been pioneers in community tourism, and their trips directly benefit the local communities they visit. They have a responsible travel effort called G For Good and partner with the nonprofit Planeterra, dedicated to ensuring communities touched by tourism benefit from it. They were rated one of CATALYST PLANET’s  8 Best Sustainable Travel Companies.

Learn more

<<< Back to Trip Search

In Ages 18 - 35 Tags Continent: Africa, Country: Zimbabwe, Country: Botswana, Focus: All Travel, Focus: Ages 18-35, Cost: $500 - $1000, Duration: 2 - 4 weeks, Country: South Africa, Focus: Wildlife

Also check out...

Featured
Vietnam’s Floating Markets Are Disappearing
Vietnam’s Floating Markets Are Disappearing
The Supernatural Role of Masks in Nigeria’s Yoruba Tribal Culture
The Supernatural Role of Masks in Nigeria’s Yoruba Tribal Culture
Opening the World to Deaf Travelers with Lily Yu
Opening the World to Deaf Travelers with Lily Yu

Featured trips

Featured
Volunteer to Help with Costa Rica’s Beach Conservatio
Volunteer to Help with Costa Rica’s Beach Conservatio
Roam Southern Europe, from Dubrovnik to Corfu
Roam Southern Europe, from Dubrovnik to Corfu
Explore Egypt
Explore Egypt

Sign up for the CATALYST newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter to get the scoop on international travel, global social impact insights, our latest podcast releases, and more from around the world, all delivered right to your inbox!

We respect your privacy.

Thank you!
Newsletter Sign Up | Advertise | Careers + Internships | Privacy Policy | Submissions | Contact Us

Copyright © 2025, MISSION MEDIA LLC. All rights reserved.